Stredoslovenská energetika, a.s. uses predominantly overhead lines for the transport of energy to customers which often negatively impacts the quality of biotopes for some kinds of animals.  Environmental protection is one of the most monitored areas in SSE, a.s. and the prevention of eventual negative impacts on the environment is firmly incorporated in the long-term strategy of the company. Owing to this fact, it is possible to perform reconstruction work and repairs focused on the minimisation of the burden on the environment.

SSE, a. s. cooperates intensely with state authorities, organisations, foundations and interest groups in the area of environmental protection. SSE, together with the regional authorities for environment and landscape protection in the territory where SSE operates, focuses on the detection and elimination of potential risks. One of the potential risks is presented by overhead lines of up to 35 kV that are situated mainly on supporting points (known around the world as ´death masts´) which are responsible for the death of a great number of birds every year. The risk posed to the bird population may be eliminated through the installation of equipment that prevents birds from perching on the pylons. SSE, a. s., in cooperation with environmental protection authorities, has been installing bird protection on its distribution lines for more than 10 years. In the last 5 years alone, the company has fitted nearly 10,000 pylons with such bird protection.   Since 2004, a new ´Antibird´ console has been used in the course of the construction of new lines, constructed so as to prevent birds from perching on the risky areas of the line. In 2005, SSE, a. s. installed nearly 1,000 of these consoles in the construction process. These solutions are applied in particular for distribution lines in the areas that have been identified by the State Agency for Environmental Protection of the Slovak Republic (©OP SR) as very risky. Furthermore, SSE, a.s. installs about 20 artificial stork nests in these areas every year. 

The technical equipment preventing the birds from perching on the pylons reduces the risk of injury or death to the minimum level. Thanks to the long-term observations over the past few years, we have found out that such solutions prevent predators in particular from using the risky areas as resting and hunting points. The bird population is now deserting such points. Therefore, SSE, a.s. in cooperation with the State Agency for Environmental Protection and potential manufacturers, seeks to find new ways of eliminating such risks.
 
This knowledge gave rise to the proposal of the following solutions applicable for the existing and new lines of up to 35 kV:

-lines supported by ´dead masts´ /Annex 1/

-lines ´Antibird´ consoles installed /Annex 2/

-new overhead lines/Annex 3/

The proposed technical solutions make it possible for birds to perch on the supporting points without running the risk of being killed. This practice helps to preserve and in some cases even improve biotope quality. The risk of death is reduced in particular for large predators and storks. The implementation of the proposed solutions helps to increase the number of birds in the hitherto risky areas.

Thanks to the cooperation with the authorities for environmental protection and with energy equipment manufacturers, SSE, a.s., is the first company in the Slovak Republic to present equipment which it will make intensive use of very soon.

®ilina, 1 June 2006

Stredoslovenská energetika, a.s. provides energy for life and business for about 700 000 customers. Our home market is the region of Central Slovakia, in which we operate already more than 80 years. By construction of new connections, investing into a new distribution network and by support of social interests we do contribute to further economic development of our region increasing the quality of life of its inhabitants. SSE is a part of Electricité de France (EdF) Group.

Media contact: Ing. Radoslava Gbelská, Head of the Independent Communication department, tel:041/519 2797, gbelska@sse.sk